PHOTOS: Dogs Surfing at California Beach

Surfing Dogs

Dogs and their owners gathered in Huntington Beach, Calif. for the second annual Surf City Surf Dog competition. Yes, you read that right, surfing dogs.

Jules Megill

Surfing Dogs

Dogs and their owners gathered in Huntington Beach, Calif. for the second annual Surf City Surf Dog competition. Yes, you read that right, surfing dogs.

Jules Megill

Surfing Dogs

Dogs are taught how to surf much like the way humans are taught, said Lisa Scolman of <a href="http://www.bookthatevent.com/Book_That_Event/Book_That_Event.html" target="external">Book That Event</a>, the surf competition's organizer.

Surf City Dog

Surfing Dogs

"We first teach the dogs to be comfortable on the surfboard while they are still on dry land; then they gradually learn to be stable on a moving board," Scolman said.

Jules Megill

Surfing Dogs

"Once the dog is comfortable on a surfboard, volunteer instructors bring both the dog and board into the ocean to fetch a wave," Scolman said. "As soon as the dogs get the hang of 'hanging 20,' they love it."

Jules Megill

Surfing Dogs

Dog owner participation during the training session is required. That doesn't seem to be a problem with this group.

Diane Edmonds

Surfing Dogs

Dogs are judged on a variety of skills, including the length of their ride, the size of the wave and their confidence on the board.

Diane Edmonds

Surfing Dogs

Prizes are awarded for the top dogs but all pooches are winners and receive a participation award.